Sunday, February 21, 2010

If I'm buying self adhesive Vinyl for a decal to apply to plastic, Do i need to use masking to apply? explain?

I'm trying to do my own decal work on my hockey mask and I'm buying vinyl that already has adhesive on the sheets. I've seen videos where is is necessary to use a squeegee and masking to apply the vinyl. Do I need to use masking when the vinyl comes with adhesive already? thanks!If I'm buying self adhesive Vinyl for a decal to apply to plastic, Do i need to use masking to apply? explain?
Masking tape is used to aid in positioning. Before you take off the release paper on the back of the vinyl exposing the adhesive, running a piece of masking tape along one edge leaving one half of the strip free to be able to tape in place onto the object creating sort of a hinge. One would then fold over like opening a book, take the release paper off and slowly - working from the hinge area firs- close the book working the adhesive side of the vinyl onto the item. Once the vinyl is down the masking tape would be removed.





Now here is another definition- in the sign business we use masking in wide rolls to cover the surface of the vinyl to stabilize the vinyl while applying it. So to be clear you have the vinyl ,a release paper on the back and masking on the front.





Think of it as a whole long word being held in place by both from and back. If you did not have the masking on the front when you removed the release paper backing you would have a bunch of individual letters all over the place. It is hard to describe any better here. Maybe going to www.gregory1.com - maybe there you can find some visuals about the process.





BUT BUT BUT -you have a very special item and that technique will not work! It only works on relatively flat surfaces.





Here's what to do. If you lightly moisten the mask with a fine mist if water if you do not have the special liquids that sign makers have. Then place the vinyl adhesive side down. When you smooth out the bubbles the water will carry out the air and allow the adhesive to contact and conform to the irregular surface. It will be a little work but this method can help sometimes with minor repositioning too.


The adhesive it not effected by the water and will be permanent once squeegeed firmly and dry.If I'm buying self adhesive Vinyl for a decal to apply to plastic, Do i need to use masking to apply? explain?
I've made decals useing a Silk Screen Process..


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Useing self adhesive Blank Vinyl..??


..would reguire the multiple colors..


..that would resemble the Silk Screen Process..


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The newest types of Digital Video also use the LAYERING-process..


..maybe like in NEMO..the ocean is a single layer..and NEMO himself becomes the added layer..and passing animations are third layer's/


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For a vinyl decal..emblem..like a tattoo../


You have a design of contour and color(seperation)..


You would use different colored vinyl and a stencil type of process..


Like a STOP SIGN..has 2-colors..the red background--then the lettering..plus a decortive border..all inside of 2-colors..


The situation really becomes a matter of SMOOTH--layering..


In the silk screen process..::let's say a Butterfly..you would create sheets of FILM--some are water soluable--some need a chemical thinner..that makes them adhere to a SILK SCREEN(frame)where ink will Squeegee--all the differnt pieces of a Buttlerfly character..keeping a FLAT Surface..as the end result..


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SOOOooo...for the vinyl..


Let's say a Stop Sign..the RED background color would need the actual SPELLED...STOP--carved into it..


Then you would INLAY..the cut out words...Letters...//S-T-O-P


..which would create a Flat-design..


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You would then have a situation of installing the decal...without the thing coming apart..


This would require a TOP-sheet(laminate)..to hold the whole thing together..while you would have your back(adhesive)..for applying..


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So...there would be three..layers...


1./the back adhesive


2./the single flat design(vinyl)


3./a front lamination(to hold things intact)


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That would be my first attempt..


I've seen a advertisemnt on Television for a digital machine that makes such things..


I think its called a Cricket.
After you design your decal with an exacto-knife or what ever, you will need to ';weed'; out the portions you do not want on your hockey mask.





Next, peel off all the surrounding edges so your decal is the only thing left. Now, here is where your masking comes into play (also known as spacing tape). You need to cover your decal with masking to keep the entire decal in ';one piece'; when you transfer the image to your hockey mask.





Masking tape is then used to hold the decal in position while you peel back the release liner and apply the decal.





Without masking or spacing tape - you would have to carefully line up all your pieces and then it would not have the correct spacing as you designed.





Hope this helps!
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